How do I set up a network hard disk so I can restart my MacBook from it?

Question

I have a 2TB Freecom XS Network hard disk, and I want to be able to restart my MacBook from it with my current OS, Leopard 10.5.8, when I have upgraded the OS on the MacBook to Snow Leopard 10.6.3 [as a possible precursor to Mavericks or even Yosemite]. The problem is that the MacBook doesn't recognise the XS as a network disk: the XS has been assigned an IP number, and I can mount it as a server volume, and I have copied all the system folders/files onto it, but that is no use if the system doesn't recognise it as a network disk for a restart [I've tried]. The system/library/users/applications folders are in a Macintosh HD folder as on the MacBook, but this folder is inside a root folder named PUBLIC: could this be part of the problem? I thought I might be able to reinstal the OS on the network disk using the original system installation discs, but after restarting the MacBook as instructed, the network disk isn't recognised as a destination for installing the OS. I don't want to instal Snow Leopard on the MacBook before I'm sure I can reboot it with Leopard, using the network disk.

Answer 1

Hi BDAqua.
Thank you for your reply. I don't know how much what I omitted to disclose in my original post might affect what you've told me, but I have a wireless network set up with a 500GB Time Capsule, to which a broadband router and another backup disk [1TB, daisy-chained to the TC] are connected. Given the difficulty I had initially, setting up the network [mainly because of my ineptitude where comms are concerned], I didn't want to risk connecting the Freecom drive to the TC, in case it changed the network settings [or worse, disrupt my internet access], and I haven't done it hitherto. I did try connecting the ethernet cable to the wireless router however, with neutral results: still possible to manually mount the drive as a server, and it shows in the Network folder in my MacBook's root folder.
Further to an email from Freecom's support department [effectively just a request for part number, proof of purchase, etc.], I followed their suggestion and tried connecting the drive to the MacBook using the USB 2 cable, and the drive showed up in the device section of the Finder window sidebar, but I would guess that this option wouldn't enable the drive to function as a boot drive either? Also, unless I'm mistaken, USB offers much slower data transfer speeds than Gigabit Ethernet? I'm hoping I've not dropped a monumental bollock, because I'm positive from my pre-purchase research that Gigabit Ethernet is faster than FireWire or USB2, which is why I chose this drive over cheaper USB drives [like the 1TB Western Digital drive daisy-chained to the TC]; or am I mistaken?
To get back to your answer though, I don't dispute what you say, because I'm sure I'm much less of an expert than you might be, but I would nevertheless like to be able to boot up from the Freecom drive, if a way to do that is possible, even if it means biting the bullet and connecting it to the Time Capsule [assuming that this will work: can you advise?], without needing to investigate and purchase additional kit. I've had a scan of the forum, and I've seen a few suggestions which mention cloning, but I don't know how this works: I presume I'd have to buy the appropriate app for that? Your answer seems to suggest installing the new OS onto an external drive [although, worryingly, you don't mention Ethernet as an option] using cloning, so I'd be grateful if you could explain that.
I just hope that my desire to save the cost of a newer Mac of some description, be it new or refurbished, but giving me the newest OS possible on the MacBook [Yosemite, I'm guessing], doesn't end up costing me something uncomfortably similar, cumulatively.
Any practical and reasonably-priced suggestions welcome and considered! Thanks again